Tonsillitis is one of the most common illnesses affecting children and teenagers, and it can be an indication of more serious diseases.

Most children have tonsillitis at some point, beginning at age 4 and continuing through their teen years. Dr. Gayle Woodson, professor of otolaryngology and director of the SIU School of Medicine Voice Center in Springfield, says chronic infections in the tonsils sometimes stimulates more tonsil growth and can cause other problems.

SOUND BITE: " . . .tonsillitis happens when germs get caught down in the crypts of the tonsils. The tonsils are kind of like a sponge and they filter things that come in and create antibodies. . . . (3:08) if particals get trapped down in there, they can cause an infection. It's hard for antibotics to get down into the crypts, so if tonsils get terminally infected, they really need to come out."

Dr. Woodson says if a child has only one or two episodes of tonsillitis per year, antibiotics can be used for treatment. But if the child has the condition more than three times per year, surgery may be required. Woodson says having tonsillitis is not the only reason that the tonsils are removed.

SOUND BITE: "If the tonsils get large, they can cause other problems, some children can have sleep apnea. If children have severe snoring, they may have a significant problem with sleep apnea where they stop breathing at night. Maybe they don't stop breathing, but they don't get enough oxygen at night and in those children, they can have significant problems with staying awake and going to sleep in school."

Dr. Woodson says tonsillitis can be caused by mononucleosis, commonly known as "mono." So if a child has tonsillitis, it is very important to see a physician for evaluation and treatment.